Spinal Exam 2: Section VI - Lumbar Region Flashcards
What is the generic shape of the typical lumbar vertebral body from the cranial view?
reniform or kidney-shaped
What accounts for the direction of the lumbar curve?
the vertebral body and intervertebral disc have a greater anterior height than posterior height
What is the direction of the normal lumbar curve?
anterior (lordotic)
What is the effect of aging on the vertebral body of a lumbar verteba?
decrease in height, increase in circumference
How many synovial joint surfaces are present at the typical lumbar vertebral body?
none
How many joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of a typical lumbar?
six
How many synovial joint surfaces are present on the vertebral body of a typical lumbar?
none
How many cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis joint surfaces are on a typical lumber vertebral body?
two
How many fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint surfaces are on a typical lumbar vertebral body?
four
What joint classifications will be observed at the vertebral body of a typical lumbar?
cartilaginous (amphiarthrosis) symphysis joint and
fibrous (amphiarthrosis) syndesmosis joint
What muscles may attach to a typical lumbar vertebral body?
psoas major and psoas minor
Psoas minor will only attach to the vertebral body of which segments?
T12, L1
What is the name given to ligaments that attach the vertebral body to articular process?
transforaminal ligaments
What are the types of transforaminal ligaments?
superior transforaminal,
middle transforaminal, and
inferior transformatinal ligaments
What ligaments attach the vertebral body to the transverse process?
corporotransverse ligaments
What corporotranverse ligaments are identified?
superior corporotransverse and inferior corpotransverse ligaments
What are the types of Hofmann ligaments?
anterior Hofmann ligaments,
posterior Hofmann ligaments,
lateral Hofmann ligaments, and
proximal root sleeve ligaments
Hofmann ligaments are identified in which regions along the vertebral column?
cervical - upper thoracic region and lumbar region
Cervical - upper thoracic Hofmann ligaments will attch what structures together?
dura mater to segments above
What is the highest level known to demonstrate Hofmann ligaments?
C6
What is the proposed function of the cervical - upper thoracic Hofmann ligaments?
resist caudal movement of the dural sac;
resist gravitational forces on the dura and cord
Lumbar Hofmann ligaments will attach what structures together?
dura mater to lower segmental levels
What is the proposed function of the lumbar Hofmann ligaments?
resist cranial movement of the dural sac during flexion
What is the proposed function of the proximal root sleeve ligament?
resist displacement of the peripheral nerve system in the intervertebral foramen
What osseous conditions of lumbar vertebrae facilitate a spinal tap in this region?
overlap of the laminae, shingling, diminishes;
overlap of spinous processes, imbrication, diminishes
What part of the central nerve system is present in the lumbar spine?
the conus medullaris is typically present in the vertebral foramen of L1
What part of the peripheral nerve system is present in the lumbar spine?
the cauda equina is typically present in the vertebral foramina of L2-L4
Beginning with the L1 transverse process, what is the generic direction and relative length of each succeeding lumbar transverse process?
each transverse process is directed straight lateral and increases in length from L1-L3;
L4 then begins to decrease in length
What is the name of the elevation near the origin of the lumbar transverse process?
accessory process
Congenital elongation of the lumbar accessory process results in what feature?
styloid process
Congenital elongation of the lumbar accessory process occurs with what frequency?
7% occurrence
What bony part of a cervical transverse process is lacking at the lumbar transverse process?
the costotransverse bar
What ligament(s) will attach to the lumbar accessory process?
mammillo-accessory ligament
What parts of a vertebra are attached via the mammillo-accessory ligament?
the mammillary process and accessory process of the same segment
What was believed to be entrapped by the mammillo-accessory ligement?
the medial branch of the dorsal ramus of a lumbar spinal nerve